In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, Metro Art has partnered with KJazz 88.1 FM to present Jazz Tracks at Union Station, an extraordinary evening of free live jazz showcasing the next generation of artists, headlined by acclaimed jazz trumpeter Christian Scott.

Held April 6 from 4-9 p.m. at the station’s historic Ticketing Hall, Jazz Tracks will be hosted by KJazz personality, journalist and producer LeRoy Downs and includes four eclectic and contemporary jazz performances, a gallery space featuring photography from legendary jazz photographer Ave Pildas, an exhibition of jazz memorabilia from historian Sean O’Connell, jazz merchandise, poetry, and a jazz lounge.  

Line-up:

• Jazz Trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
• Ryan Cross’s Jazz Eclectic
• Black Nile
• Vocalist Sara Gazarek

Acclaimed performer Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, widely praised as a driving force in the resurgent jazz and instrumental movement, is a two-time Edison Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated trumpeter, composer and producer. Jazziz has described his style as a “melding of various different influences and sounds from the African Diaspora to create a trademark sound of his own.” His 2017 release, “The Centennial Trilogy,” debuted at No. 1 on iTunes and commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first jazz recordings of 1917. Scott’s new album, “Ancestral Recall,” is out March 19; and its first single, “Forevergirl,” has been receiving critical acclaim.

Vocalist Sara Gazarek has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “the next important jazz singer,” and her music has been celebrated in Critical Jazz, All About Jazz and Jazz Times. Gazarek has released four well-received CDs; and her latest, “Thirsty Ghost,” will be out in late 2019. 

Black Nile was founded by Los Angeles brothers Aaron (sax) and Larry (bass) Shaw. The band has performed around the world and has played with such artists as Tyler The Creator, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé and Jackson Browne.

Ryan Cross (Ryan Cross Jazz Eclectic) has studied with jazz legend Ray Brown and worked with Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Gladys Knight. His music can also be heard in television shows and films.

Guests to Jazz Tracks can also enjoy an exhibition of photographs from legendary jazz photographer Ave Pildas. Pildas’ work features intimate portraits of jazz greats in live performance, at small clubs and jazz festivals across the Midwest and is included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Bibliotheca National, Paris; the University of Arizona; as well as numerous other public and private collections.

Additional festival activities will include scribes from the Poetry Society L.A. crafting personalized, jazz themed poems; an exhibition of jazz memorabilia from local jazz historian, author and aficionado Sean O’Connell; professional tarot card readings; jazz merchandise; and a jazz lounge. 

Admission is free.